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Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambhore National Park is one of Asia's most important wildlife conservation reserves. The favourite haunt of wildlife buffs and professional wildlife photographers from around the world, Ranthambhore National Park is probably the best place in the world to see wild tigers. Ranthambhore encompasses three lakes - Raj Bagh, Malik Talab and Padam Talab, where aquatic birds can be seen in large numbers. Sprawling over an area of 1,334 sq km on the eastern edge of the Thar Desert, the Ranthambhore National Park is one of the last sanctuaries of the big cat, the Royal Bengal Tiger.

Location : Near Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan.
Nearest Access : Sawai Madhopur
Main Wildlife Found : Tigers, Leopards, Boars
Coverage Area : 392-sq-kms

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About Ranthambore National Park
Like many other wildlife parks, the Ranthambore National Park is also a beautiful version of an erstwhile hunting ground of Maharajahs of Rajasthan. This was declared a full fledged national park in the year 1955.Welcome to Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the world's largest collection of Indian native animals. The Sanctuary is an oasis, located in the center of India's popular holiday destination, Rajasthan. With coverage area over 392-sq-kms, this sanctuary was developed ideally under the project Tiger, to preserve Tiger, the royal creature. But the landscaped and bushland of Ranthambore caters other inhabitants of the sanctuary such as marsh Crocodiles, Hyenas, Jungle Cats Chital, Nilgai, Chinkara and Sloth Bears. This apart, 264 species are present of the avian population.

Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary offers a unique natural experience. With the launch of project tiger reserve in 1973, the National park began to be protected in earnest. The surrounding areas of Keladevi Sanctuary, and Sawai Madhopur Sanctuary was consolidated and added to the National Park in 1992, bringing the spread of reserve to an impressive 1,174 sq. km. Today, what seems as Ranthambore National Park is a resounding glory of park's royal past when kings and Nawabs gather here for annual tiger shoot.

The Flora in the Ranthambore National Park
The park is dominated by old Banyan Trees, Dhok & Pipal trees, clusters of mango trees. The terrain comprises of massive rock formations, steep scarps, perennial lakes and streams and forest giving way to large areas of Savannah. The terrain of the sanctuary ranges from impregnable dense forests to open bush lands. The prime vegetation in the forest is the typically dry deciduous type, with Dhok, being the most common tree.

The Fauna in the Ranthambore National Park
Tigers are the pride of Ranthambore National Park. If you are a tiger watcher then don't miss this destination, as this is best place in the country to observe them. Apart from that a large numbers of Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Sambar deer, Chital, Nilgai, Common or Caracals, Common Palm Civets or Toddy cat, Coomon Yellow Bats, Sloth bears, Black bucks, Rufoustailed Hare, Indian Wild Boar, Chinkara, Desert Cats, Fivestriped Palm Squirels, Hanuman langurs, Macaques, Jackals, Jungle cats, vIndian False Vampires, Indian Flying Foxes, Indian Foxes, Indian Gerbilles, Longeared Hedgehogs, Ratels, Small Indian Mongoose, Indian Mole Rats, Indian Porcupines, Small Indian Civets and Common mongoose are seen in the park.

The Avifauna in the Ranthambore National Park
Most probably you will be welcomed by a dancing peacock in this section, as peacock is the most commonly seen bird here. As you go further inside you will find various other birds in various moods. The varied terrain and abundance of water bodies, invites an excellent population of birds to the sanctuary. Ranthambore is home to both resident and migratory birds. There are about 272 different species of birds found in the Ranthambore National Park Rajasthan. Some of the many varieties of birds seen here are the great Indian horned owl, various species of eagles such as Bonelli’s eagle and the crested serpent, spoonbills, partridge, quail, parakeets, kingfishers, owls and storks, geese and ducks.

Climate in Ranthambore :
Located in Rajasthan, the Ranthambore Reserve is influenced by the desert type of climate. The vegetation, which is mostly dry anddeciduous, provides good cover for the animals. The climate is generally dry but annual rainfall is enough to sustain the park population. In fact, Ranthambore is one of the green patches in the otherwise barren landscape of the state.

Safari
The 3 hr or so jungle jeep safari is the high point of Ranthambore experience. No private vehicles are permitted into the park. It is wise to book a tourist jeep safari well in advance, especially in high season, with the RTDC office at Hotel Vinayak at Ranthambhore or through your travel agent. Two jungle safaris a day, following pre- defined tourist trails (seven routes for Gypsys, five for Canters), are on offer currently. Movement of vehicles is well organised and ensures that the least interference to animal movement.

How to Get there
Air : The nearest Airport is at Jaipur, 145 km from Ranthambhore.

Rail : The Nearest Railway Station is at Sawai Madhopur, 11 km from the Park.

By Road : A good network of buses links Sawai Madhopur from Ranthambhore. Ranthambhore is well connected with all the major cities of Rajasthan.